t to die for the faith!" answered the swarm in one tumultuous
shout.

And for a while an infernal uproar again prevailed. The umbajas and
drums sounded. The warriors struck sword against sword, spear against
spear. The martial ardor spread like a flame. Some cried: "The faith is
victorious!" Others: "To paradise through death!" Stas now understood
why the Egyptian army could not cope with this wild host.

When the hubbub had somewhat subsided, the prophet resumed his address.
He told them of his visions and of the mission which he had received
from God. Allah commanded him to purify the faith and spread it over
the entire world. Whoever does not acknowledge him as the Mahdi, the
Redeemer, is condemned to damnation. The end of the world is already
near, but before that time it is the duty of the faithful to conquer
Egypt, Mecca, and all those regions beyond the seas where the gentiles
dwell. Such is the divine will which nothing can change. A great deal
of blood will flow yet; many warriors will not return to their wives
and children under their tents, but the happiness of those who fall no
human tongue can describe.

After which he stretched out his arms towards the assembled throng and
concluded thus:

"Therefore I, the Redeemer and servant of God, bless this holy war and
you warriors. I bless your toils, wounds, death; I bless victory, and
weep over you like a father who has conceived an affection for you."

And he burst into a flood of tears. When he descended from the pulpit a
roar and a clamor resounded. Weeping became general. Below, the two
caliphs Abdullahi and Ali Uled Helu took the prophet under the arms and
escorted him to the sheep hide on which he knelt. During this brief
moment Idris asked Stas feverishly whether Smain was not among the
emirs.

"No!" replied the boy, who vainly sought the familiar face with his
eyes. "I do not see him anywhere. Perhaps he fell at the capture of
Khartum."

The prayers lasted long. During these the Mahdi threw his arms and legs
about like a buffoon or raised his eyes in rapture, repeating "Lo! It
is he!" "Lo! It is he!" and the sun began to decline towards the west,
when he rose and left for his home. The children now could be convinced
with what reverence the dervishes surrounded their prophet, for crowds
eagerly followed him and scratched up the places which his feet
touched. They even quarreled and came to blows for they believed that
such earth protected the hea